Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso to play through injury

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is set to play through the pain barrier against Manchester United in Wednesday night’s titanic clash at the Bernabeu.

According to Madrid newspaper Marca, Alonso could not manage to finish Monday’s training session due to a pelvic injury. The former Liverpool man missed Real’s home game against Sevilla on Sunday, and also his country’s mid-week international friendly against Uruguay.

Alonso is the key man in Jose Mourinho’s midfield and has played against United on several occasions when he was a Liverpool player. He has played 20 of his side’s 23 league matches and has two assists to his name, and Mourinho will want his trusted midfielder in the first-leg match as it carries huge significance for Real.

The 31-year-old Spaniard trained with his team mates in Monday’s session, but could not complete it and left the training ground with the club’s medical staff.